posted
Does anyone have personal experience with Cat's Claw? I am interested in also knowing how long it was taken and with what other meds. Thanks!
Posts: 44 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2005
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SForsgren
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posted
I have taken it. Stopped for awhile and likely will start again soon cycling Samento and Cumanda (Cowden protocol). See my site, Helpful Links, Samento for links that discuss further. Best
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
How long before you got a herx from the Samento? I've been on the Samento since Tuesday, taking 5 drops and working up to 15 (as of yesterday), and no herx yet.
I've also Rifed twice in the last week and nothing.
Posts: 45 | From Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: Nov 2005
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mbroderick
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I have heard that pure Cat's Claw (not TOA free / Samento) is far stronger and preferable. I've been taking it - 4 capsules daily, 500 mg ea. - for several months. It's hard to tell, though, if a herx is from that, or from the abx.
Some of the active ingredients documented and researched in Cat's Claw are 6 oxindole alkaloids. These alkaloids have been documented worldwide by independent research and patented to nutritionally support the immune system.* Is this a "TOA-Free" product? No! The main TOA alkaloid, isorhynchophylline, has been documented and patented to increase immune function (phagocytosis).
There's a link on the web page above that discusses the TOA / POA controversy.
[ 28. November 2005, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: mbroderick ]
Posts: 2097 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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SForsgren
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posted
Based on everything I have reviewed, TOA-free is very important. I think the two best are Nutramedix or Enzymatic Therapies Saventaro.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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lymeinhell
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Member # 4622
posted
I've been on it about a year and a half. I take Prima Una de Gato capsules from Allergy Research (TOA Free). I herxed off 1/2 capsule within 30 minutes. It enabled me to cut my abx dose in half and eventually go off antibiotics. It's been a year off abx, and still no relapse, and I still continue to improve.
It also regulates blood pressure, blood sugar and metabolism. There's lots of science to back up it's use..
Research suggests that the active POAs may affect the immune cells responsible for nonspecific and cellular immunity.* Prima U�a de Gato also contains quinovic acid glycosides, the natural compounds upon which synthetic quinolones are based.
Cat's claw has been used to help promote systemic microbial balance, and is thought to support antioxidant activity and circulation.* Prima U�a de Gato contains added minerals and enzymes to enhance absorption and activity. Cat's claw, has long been used by indigenous healers in the rainforests of the Peruvian Andes and elsewhere in South America.
In recent times it has been studied for its ability to support gastrointestinal and immune functions.* Research suggests that in the gastrointestinal tract it can support healthy microbial balance and soothe irritated tissue.* Research shows it has antioxidant properties, and it may support circulation by strengthening capillaries.*
Prima U�a de Gato is standardized from whole bark, manufactured using a proprietary process that does not involve the use of solvents.
Regular cat's claw contains both pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) and tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOAs), whereas Prima U�a de Gato is standardized to 0.5% POAs, and is 100% free of TOAs. Regular cat's claw typically has a total alkaloid content of 3.0%, with up to 20-25% of that alkaloid content in the form of TOAs.
Why is it important that Prima U�a de Gato extract is free of TOAs? TOAs are chemical antagonists that act upon the central nervous system and can greatly inhibit the positive effect of the POAs.* The immune enhancement effects of POAa are diminished when the two chemotypes are mixed.* Prima U�a de Gato, containing only POAs, may have more benefit for immune enhancement than a standard cat's claw containing both pentacyclic and tetracyclic alkaloids.*
The POAs are the active ingredients that provide the principal immunomodulating and immuno-stimulating activity, and are actively involved in the functional mechanisms of both innate and acquired immunity.* In addition, Prima U�a de Gato contains quinovic acid glycosides, the natural compounds upon which the synthetic antibiotic quinolones are based.
When TOA-free cat's claw was introduced into Bulgaria, it quickly became the most widely sold natural remedy in that country. TOA-free chemotype cat's claw has been used by Dr. Atanas Tzonkov in Bulgaria's largest private medical clinic, in the nutritional support for thousands of patients.*
Also in 2001, the Hungarian National Institute of Pharmacy (OGYI), equivalent to the U.S. FDA, approved TOA-free chemotype cat's claw for over-the-counter use. Prima U�a de Gato offers a significant advancement in our understanding of the best utilization of Uncaria tomentosa. The Prima U�a de Gato formula is potentized with minerals and enzymes to support detoxification, and has been clinically tested. Atanas Tzonkov, director of the Lechitel Clinic in Sofia, Bulgaria, has stated that TOA-free chemotype cat's claw can fortify a person's own self-healing power which Nature has built into his spirit, mind and body.*
The Possible Benefits of Prima U�a de Gato, a Dietary Supplement * May help modulate and support immune function* * Free of tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids (TOAs) * May provide antioxidant activity, support circulation, and promote microbial balance* Item # 75040 - 90 vegetarian capsules Item # 75080 - 1 fl. oz. (30 ml) *THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. July - 2005 Each capsule contains: Magnesium (as Magnesium Malate) 20 mg Manganese (as Manganese Citrate) 30 μg Chromium (as Chromium Polynicotinate) 5 μg Cat's Claw (bark) extract** (standardized to 0.5% POAs) 375 mg Protease 30000 HUT Cellulase 1600 CU Suggested Use:` As a dietary supplement, 1 capsule one to three times daily, on an empty stomach, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.
Use under medical supervision. Herxheimer's reactions may occur. Sensitive individuals may need to stay with 1 capsule per day for an extended period of time, and increase very gradually. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or organ transplant recipients. **100% TOA-free. Each 5 drops contain: Proprietary blend 0.25 ml Cat's Claw (bark) extract** and concentrated trace minerals In ethanol-water (20-25% ethanol content***) Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, 1 to 5 drops one to three times daily, on an empty stomach, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Shake well before each use. Put 1 to 5 drops in a glass, then add 4 oz. of pure water and wait one minute before drinking. Use under medical supervision. Herxheimer's reactions may occur. Sensitive individuals may need to stay with 1 drop per day for an extended period of time, and increase very gradually. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or organ transplant recipients. **100% TOA-free. ***Food grade ethanol from potato References Allergy Research Group� 2300 North Loop Road, Alameda, CA 94502 Phone: 800-545-9960 or 510-263-2000 Fax: 800-688-7426 or 510-263-2100 www.AllergyResearchGroup.com *THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. July - 2005
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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Jim Bayliss
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posted
Have ANY of you read Stephen Buhner's new book Healing Lyme? He states that the TOA controversery proponents are incorrect! WHO do you believe. He certainly seems to have tremendous knowledge in Herbal treatments. Especially LYME. I have been reading and studying this book for almost two weeks now. Excellent reading in MY opinion. I have an illeostomy also, so the gas generated from some of these herbs IS a problem for me, especially when sleeping, but I am now experimenting with them to see what I can tolerate. ###
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lymeinhell
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Member # 4622
posted
Nancy -
Forgot this in my PM - I use the capsule form of Prima Una de Gato. I started with 1/2 capsule - herxed in minutes. I built up over many many months to 2 capsules a day. The recommended dose is 3 capsules a day - but chicken me hates to herx and feel quite good so never got that far.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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Marnie
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posted
Up under "Post a Reply" you will see the word, "search" underlined. Click on it and in the window, type in "Cat's Claw" for many discussion links. There was an actual formal study of lyme patients who took Cat's Claw done.
It will HELP, but alone, not cure. It is hitting Bb from the glycolysis angle only.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
My wife and I, both positive for Lyme with IgeneX and Bowen, have been taking Cat's Claw for 20 months. We have tried many different brands including the TOA-free form. Initially it only took about 3-4 drops of the TOA-free form to herx. After increasing to about 50 drops/day with no herxing, we found that the RainTree Cat's Claw in capsule form has the most activity. I don't believe the TOA-free extract has the full potency of the herb because of the ex- traction process. We are both symptom free after having the late- stage neuro symptoms untreated for 1 1/2 years. The only abx in our treatment was doxycycline- 200 mg./day for 4 weeks, then followed by the herbal treatment. Blue Skies............John
Posts: 134 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2004
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Nal
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Member # 6801
posted
I am interested in trying Cats Claw as well but I need to know if I can take it with IM Bicillin, flagyl and diflucan??
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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lymeinhell
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Member # 4622
posted
Always check with your Dr. before adding in anything.
You WILL herx off it, no doubt about it. But FWIW, I took it with Rifampin, Flagyl and Diflucan.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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"Historic medicinal practice has defined Cat's Claw, also known as Una de Gato or Uncaria tomentosa, as an effective treatment for several health disorders including chronic inflammation, gastrointestinal dysfunction such as ulcers, tumors and infections. The efficacy of Cat's Claw was originally believed, as early as the 1960s, to be due to the presence of oxindole alkaloids. However, more recently water-soluble Cat's Claw extracts were shown not to contain significant amounts of alkaloids *<0.05%*, and yet still were shown to be very efficacious. Here we characterize the active ingredients of a water-soluble Cat's Claw extract called C-Med-100 as inhibiting cell growth without cell death thus providing enhanced opportunities for DNA repair, and the consequences thereof, such as immune stimulation, anti-inflammation and cancer prevention. The active ingredients were chemically defined as quinic acid esters and could also be shown to be bioactive in vivo as quinic acid."
"We have previously reported that the C-Med 100 extract of the plant Uncaria tomentosa induces prolonged lymphocyte half life and hence increased spleen cell number in mice receiving the extract in their drinking water. Further, the extract induces cell proliferation arrest and inhibits activation of the transcriptional regulator nuclear factor kappaB *NF-kappaB* in vitro. We now report that mice exposed to quinic acid *QA*, a component of this extract, had significantly increased number of spleen cells, thus recapitulating the in vivo biological effect of C-Med 100 exposure. Commercially supplied QA H+ form, did not, however, inhibit cell proliferation in vitro, while the ammonia-treated QA *QAA* was a potent inhibitor. Both QA and QAA inhibited NF-kappaB activity in exposed cells at similar concentrations. Thus, our present data identify QA as a candidate component for both in vivo and in vitro biological effects of the C-Med 100 extract."
"Cat's claw is an herbal medicine from the Amazon that is used widely to treat inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was to characterize the antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties of cat's claw, Uncaria tomentosa *UT* and Uncaria guianensis *UG*. Alkaloids and flavanols were determined using reversed-phase HPLC; scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl *DPPH*, hydroxyl radicals, and lipid peroxidation by spectrophotometry; and TNFalpha production by ELISA. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in vitro by inhibition of TNFalpha and nitrite production from RAW 264.7 cells exposed to LPS *50 ng/ml* and in vivo using the indomethacin-induced gastritis model. Apoptosis was assessed using the TUNEL technique and TNFalpha mRNA by in situ RT-PCR. In each of the antioxidant assays tested, UG was more potent than UT *P < 0.01*. The total oxindole and pentacyclic alkaloid content of UT was 35-fold > UG. The IC50 value for inhibition of TNFalpha production was significantly *P < 0.01* higher for UT *14.1 ng/ml* vs UG *9.5 ng/ml*, yet at concentrations that were considerable lower than that required for antioxidant activity. Non-alkaloid HPLC fractions from UT decreased LPS-induced TNFalpha and nitrite production in RAW 264.7 cells *P < 0.0* at a concentration range comparable to the parent botanical. Oral pretreatment for 3 d with UT protected against indomethacin-induced gastritis, and prevented TNFalpha mRNA expression and apoptosis. These results indicate that while both species of cat's claw provide effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, U. guianensis is more potent. In conclusion, the presence of oxindole or pentacyclic alkaloids did not influence the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cat's claw."
posted
Hi Everyone, 1st time to post. I have learned alot from everyone here. 22ys ill. Dianosed 14mo ago. I am doing Allergy Research CC. Herxed first drop. I take up to 9 drops 3xaday. Seeing progress. Healing Blessings to all.
Posts: 905 | From Santa Cruz,Calif | Registered: Aug 2005
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klutzo
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posted
I have been on Samento for over a year now, after trying Zhang, MHA, and MOH Lyme protocols. I am only up to 8 drops per day due to the strength of the herxing. I am allergic to all ABX but Cipro, so this is my main tx, but I boost it with Nattokinase (which allowed me to go from 3 to 8 drops), Sarsaparilla, Colostrum, and Resveratrol. I have read Buhner's book, and tried some of his protocol. That is how I ended up on Sarsaparilla, which does seem to help with herx symptoms. However, the main herb he pushes is Andrographis, which stimulates the entire immune system, not just TH1, like Colostrum does, which is what we need. Being TH2 dominant, this resulted in a major allergic reaction to a substance that never bothered me before. Stopping Andrographis stopped the reaction. I believe if I had been stung by a bee, or fire ant while on this herb, I would not be here now. It also raised my blood pressure. I have had improvements in depth and length of sleep, pain level, tachycardia/panic attacks, reduction in Lyme Rages, and a major reduction in fatigue. It has not helped my irritable bladder yet, which is one of my biggest problems. My cognition continues to deteriorate slowly, possibly due to pushing the herxing too hard, which the makers of Samento warn against. My Bowen test was at the highest possible level at the start, and after 8 months of tx, was down 2 levels. I will not test again, but will rely on symptom improvement as a marker of how I am doing. I was mis-dx'd for 17 yrs. with MS and then FMS, so it should take at least 40 months to get maximum improvement. I also had a severe brain injury that triggered my illness, so some of my problems may not be fixable, and may not be due to Lyme...it's hard to tell. Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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posted
During the first month of my infection, I tried Cats Claw for a few days and ended up in ER passing out. I believe this was due to my very high bacteria load at the time and the large amounts of toxins created after taking this herb. I started taking this herb again recently (after 9 months of ABX) and am getting positive results from 500mg 2xday. I am taking this along with Biaxin/Bactrim and treating Bb/Babes.
Posts: 33 | From Oregon | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Newby here again. I am taking taking Jernigan's Silphitrin for herx's, also keeping myself akaline is helping. I also do bee venom shots with procaine and salt and c. Blessings to all. Joyce
Posts: 905 | From Santa Cruz,Calif | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Jim, haven't read the Buhner book. What does he say about cat's claw?
To those of you who think you herxed almost instantly. Are you sure this is what the reaction was? Getting worse/having a reaction does not always mean a herx.
If some tickborne germs hide out in lymphocytes, would you want to increase the number of lymphocytes? Confused about this.
The Herbal PDR mentions that this herbal treatment inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A4 in vitro, so they say caution is needed when taking it with other drugs metabolized by this enzyme. Not sure what this means exactly, but there has been some discussion about this enzyme previously on the forum. Am I getting this right? Anyone know? Guess I will do a search.
and a lot of previous threads on cats claw. Anyone who is thinking about taking this would be well advised to do a search on this forum and read everything that has been said.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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